West Beaverton - Beaverton, OR

Since settlers arrived in the late 18th century, Beaverton has been a major player in a multitude of industries, from auto dealerships and manufacturers to software engineering. However, the industries in the area have not taken away from the gorgeous scenery and the overall pleasant atmosphere in the neighborhood of West Beaverton.

Culture in West Beaverton abounds since events such as the Portland Ballet Festival and the annual city tree lighting ceremony occur on a regular basis, rain or shine. West Beaverton also hosts the Beaverton International Celebration, complete with multicultural food, dance and music, which the city puts on every year in July.

If you’re been looking for a summer event where you can meet more of your West Beaverton neighbors, head over to Flicks at the Fountain in August to mingle and watch a free movie.

Among the busy restaurants in West Beaverton sits Annie’s Restaurant. With a simple, ragtime ’50s feel, the tiny café remains famous for its Coney sauce, crispy French fries (which come unsalted) and juicy, well-topped burgers. Make sure you top off your meal with a classic chocolate or peanut butter shake or you’re not doing it right.

Though the restaurant got squished between a tattoo parlor and a grungy bar, Toshi’s sushi and other Japanese cuisine makes up for the grimy location and then some. With its freshly made sushi rolls such as the Kamikaze, California, Tempura and Rock and Roll, the locals can’t get enough. If you’re not a sushi fan, the curry and ramen dishes pack just as much flavor as the rolls.

For high-class Italian food, you can’t miss Mingo. Every course, from the gigantic salads to the famous penne al sugo di carne to the limoncello, delights the taste buds and offers a completely novel dining experience, finished with excellent, can’t-be-beat service. The menu rotates every few months to ensure that only the freshest ingredients make it into the entrees, so get what looks good while it lasts

The many restaurants along Highway 10, also known as Farmington Road, provide eclectic food options that are well worth checking out. For night-time fun, make sure to drop by Ringo’s Bar and Grill or Buddies Sports Bar to grab a cold one and check out the day's sports scores.

For public transportation, bus 52 and 88 make up some of the most commonly used ways to get around Farmington Road. If you’re keen to go to downtown Portland, you can beat the rush hour traffic by hopping on the red or blue line Max trains found at the Beaverton Transit Station. Highways 217 and 26 serve as the primary routes for West Beaverton residents, whether you want to get onto I-5 or head to the Oregon coast. The on ramps for both highways lie no more than a 10-minute drive away.

Unlike the Portland area, West Beaverton provides ample street parking spaces, parking lots and parking garages at reasonable prices if not free.

Though many great cab companies in the Beaverton area can pick you up if you call, often residents elect to take Uber instead because of the shorter wait times and cheaper prices.

Because Beaverton puts a large effort into making the area bike friendly—going even so far as to having an annual Bike Beaverton day—bike paths and bike lanes cover many of the West Beaverton streets, and drivers have become accustomed to carefully navigating around bikers.

The neighborhood of West Beaverton spreads far and wide, so walking to your destination might take you a bit of time. Many people either take their bikes or public transportation to get to and fro more efficiently.

If you’re looking for a quiet, secluded park that makes for a great place for kids to play, look to West Slope Park. Well out of the way of heavy traffic, the park features a jungle gym, large swaths of grass and beautiful shady areas perfect for a weekday stroll or a weekend get-together.

Mount Williams Park provides the best recreation choice for dogs since the oversize field makes for the perfect running space. Mount Williams also has a public orchard with peaches, pears and apples during the summer and fall, so you can snack on some fruit while taking a stroll on the lush grass.

Living in West Beaverton costs only one percent more than living in Portland, but that still means that it ranks about 20 percent pricier than the national average. On average, an apartment costs about $885 per month, and gas in both West Beaverton and Portland costs about 7 percent more on average than in the rest of the nation.

You can easily get to downtown Portland with a two-hour bus or train ticket, which costs $2.50. However, if you stay in Portland for longer than two hours, the ride back will cost another $2.50 per person.

Looking to get a beer at a local pub? Expect to pay $5 to $6 on average

For the best shopping, locals frequent Washington Square, home to everything from Dick’s Sporting Goods to Macy’s. Several local stores—such as Crazy 8, which has fun, bright-colored clothes for kids—have locations in the massive shopping center.

Safeway and Bales Thriftway offer the most convenient options to get groceries in the neighborhood of West Beaverton, though many local prefers to head over to the Beaverton Farmers Market, which has been described as the freshest and best farmers market in the Portland area. While the kids play in the nearby water fountain, you can shop for a selection of fresh squash and other vegetables during the spring, summer and fall.